Many genres tend to have a common tempo range. Here are some genres with their associated ranges. If there is a number in parentheses that's a very common BPM.
Ambient 80
Disco 115-125
Downtempo 90-110
Drum and Bass 160-180
Dub 60-90
Dubstep 140
Electro Pop 115-125
Garage [UK] 130-135
Hip-Hop 80-115 (108)
House 118-135 (128)
Jazz 112
Polka 104-124 (120)
Punk Rock 140-200
R & B 115
Samba 96-100
Ska 110-130
Techno 120-135
Trance 130-135
Trip-Hop 90-110
Waltz 84-90
In addition, there are some common musical terms that signify a BPM range. Some terms overlap or have multiple definitions depending on how many divisions are used. Here they are:
Larghissimo: 24 BPM and under
Grave: 25-45 BPM or 30 and under
Largo: 40-60 BPM or 40-50 BPM
Lento: 45-60 BPM
Larghetto: 60-66 BPM
Adagio: 66-76 BPM
Adagietto: 72-76 BPM
Andante: 76-108 BPM or 84-90 BPM
Andantino: 77-84 BPM or 80-108 BPM
Marcia Moderato: 83-85 BPM
Andante Moderato: 90-100 BPM or 92-112 BPM
Moderato: 108-120 BPM or 100-115 BPM
Allegro Moderato: 116-120 BPM
Allegretto: 117-119 BPM or 112-120 BPM
Allegro: 120-168 BPM
Allegro con Brio: 130 BPM
Molto Allegro: 140-160 BPM
Allegro Vivace: 161-170 BPM or 172-176 BPM
Presto: 168-200 BPM or 180-199 BPM
Vivace: 171-179 BPM or 168-176 BPM
Allegrissimo: 172-176 BPM
Vivacissimo: 172-176 BPM
Prestissimo: 200+ BPM
The Sound Programming site is copyright © 2006-2024 Jason Champion.